Hulk Won't Join Avengers: Doomsday After Spider-Man 4 Tragedy
New reports suggest Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner will be absent from the upcoming Avengers film following devastating events in the next Spider-Man movie that force heroes to keep him away from humanity.
Fresh insider reports indicate that Mark Ruffalo won't appear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie. Industry scooper James Mack revealed on social media that "something very terrible" occurs to Bruce Banner during Spider-Man: Brand New Day, effectively sidelining the green giant from the fifth Avengers installment.
While fans celebrated confirmation of Ruffalo's involvement in Spider-Man 4, this development means the anticipated reunion between him, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Evans in Avengers: Doomsday won't happen as expected. The tragic events in the Spider-Man sequel apparently keep Bruce "away from humans," according to Mack's sources.
Dark Turn for Banner in Spider-Man Sequel
The leaked information suggests Bruce Banner's storyline takes a dramatically darker direction in Brand New Day. According to the reports, "the heroes of Earth don't want Bruce there, because he literally killed some people," leading to a coordinated effort to isolate him from society. This plot development reportedly draws inspiration from the Illuminati saga in Marvel comics, though adapted differently for the movie.
Additional sources from The Cosmic Circus support these claims, with insider Alex Perez explaining that both Peter Parker and Bruce Banner will "come face-to-face with their own personal trauma and guilt over the events of their past as they come bubbling to the surface." While Spider-Man grapples with emotional turmoil, Banner's psychological state unleashes something far more dangerous.
Unleashing the Monster Within
Previous MCU films have shown relatively restrained versions of the Hulk, even during the Scarlet Witch's mind control sequence. However, Brand New Day promises to push the character beyond those limits. Perez noted that "In Brand New Day, he might get pushed to the point where he might just kill somebody," suggesting audiences will witness the most violent incarnation of the Hulk yet seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This development represents a significant shift for the character, who has largely been portrayed as a reluctant hero struggling with his dual nature. The Russo Brothers appear ready to explore the truly destructive potential of Banner's alter ego, potentially setting up storylines that have long been anticipated by comic book fans.
Secret Wars Comeback and Fan Reactions
Despite his absence from Doomsday, reports confirm Ruffalo will return for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. This news has generated excitement among fans who speculate about a possible World War Hulk storyline, where Banner returns as an unstoppable force seeking revenge against those who exiled him.
Social media reactions show enthusiasm for this darker direction, with many fans expressing hope for seeing the Hulk at full power in Secret Wars. Ruffalo himself has previously expressed interest in both a World War Hulk storyline and a standalone Hulk film, telling reporters he's "ready when they are." The actor also acknowledged that while topping Endgame will be challenging, Marvel has "something incredible planned" for Secret Wars.